Charges laid in the death of RCMP Constable Sarah Beckett

The Criminal Justice Branch (CJB), Ministry of Justice, announced today that criminal charges have been approved against Kenneth Jacob Fenton following an investigation into a motor vehicle collision that resulted in the death of RCMP Constable Sarah Beckett.

Mr. Fenton has been charged with:

impaired driving causing death contrary to section 255(3) of the Criminal Code;

flight from police causing death contrary to section 249.1(3);

dangerous driving causing death contrary to section 249.(4);

driving with a blood alcohol content in excess of 80 milligrams contrary to section 255(3.1); and,

refusing to provide a sample of his blood upon demand by police when he knew, or ought to have known, that his operation of a vehicle caused an accident resulting in death contrary to section 255(3.2).

All of these offences are alleged to have occurred on April 5, 2016 at or near Langford, British Columbia.

The charges against Mr. Fenton were sworn on September 14, 2016. His first appearance will be in Colwood Provincial Court (File No. 19489) on a date to be determined.

As these matters are now before the Court, the Branch will not be making any further comment.

The Charge Assessment Guidelines applied by the CJB in reviewing Reports to Crown Counsel are established in Branch policy and are available online.